The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has commenced the 2024 national recruitment exercise in the Karamoja Sub-region, with all shortlisted candidates from Kaabong and Karenga districts present to undergo the selection process.
Col James Barigye Rukundo, Team Leader and substantive 3 Division Operations and Training Officer (3 DOTO), addressed the aspiring candidates, urging them to maintain discipline, follow instructions, and exercise patience throughout the interview process.
He assured the candidates and district leadership that the interview stages would be systematic, transparent, and fair, with the goal of selecting worthy soldiers upon completion of training programmes.
Col Rukundo emphasised that the UPDF would uphold its dignity and maintain its standards throughout the process.
Mr. Ocailap Filbert, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Karenga, expressed gratitude to the UPDF leadership for adopting a new approach to shortlisting candidates based on official adverts and projected quotas, providing guidance and clarity.
The District Chairperson of Kaabong, Meri Jino, advocated for affirmative action for candidates from the Karamoja Sub-region.
The recruitment team will spend two days at the Kaabong recruitment centre, aiming to select 22 candidates from the 36 shortlisted for Kaabong district and 12 from the 14 shortlisted for Karenga district. The team will conduct a similar exercise at the Kotido centre on 3 July 2024 for candidates from Kotido district and on 4 July 2024 for those from Abim district.
Present were Capt (Rtd) Chris Mike Okirya, RDC for Kaabong, and local leaders.